Flying Kiwis – May 4
Ryan Thomas – PEC Zwolle (Dutch Eredivisie)
With injuries and absences from others, Ryan Thomas takes the lead this week. Thomas and Zwolle were out for glory, as they competed in the KNVB Cup Final against Groningen. Buuuut it didn’t quite go as planned. Unlike their near-perfect outing last year when they demolished Ajax 5-1 to claim their first ever trophy.
Ryan Thomas started, looking sharp too after an injury niggle last month. However Groningen were the form team leading in and the favourites for the cup. Almost immediately they threatened, and might have taken an early lead were it not for Zwolle keeper Walter Hahn. That fella’s playing some great football at the moment.
As the first half drew on, Zwolle got more dangerous. They had a couple of half-chances too, but it was tied 0-0 at the break. Had Zwolle been awarded a penalty for a trip on Mustafa Saymak then things may have been different. Likewise, if Ryan Thomas’ shot had ended in the top corner as it seemed destined to before a fine save prevented it. Groningen then made an attacking sub, bringing on Jarchinio Antonia, and he set up the opening goal minutes later. Ten minutes later he played a key role in the second goal.
Ryan Thomas was sacrificed towards the end as they chased the game but there was no getting back into it. Groningen win the KNVB Cup for the first time, becoming the eighth team in eight years to win it.
Up Next: A league rematch with Groningen, could be a Europa League playoff spot on the line. That one’s 12.30am Monday (NZT)
Winston Reid – West Ham United (English Premier League)
Shout out to Winston Reid, who announced this week that he… sorry, his wife… is expecting twins. Congrats to you, bro. Top news.
Unfortunately it does mean that he won’t be able to return to NZ as an ambassador for the Under 20 World Cup next month, as he (excruciatingly) revealed to One News. Reid missed West Ham’s 1-0 win over probably-relegation-bound Burnley with injury, he may or may not return next week.
There’s also a Winston Reid parody twitter account if anyone’s interested. Plus some defence of Boring Chelsea in his fanbookz column. These two points are definitely related.
Up Next: Aston Villa vs West Ham, 2am Sunday (NZT)
Tommy Smith – Ipswich Town (English Championship)
Well, they didn’t do themselves too many favours in the final game of the season but it turns out Ipswich had done enough to squeeze into the playoffs.
Despite losing 3-2 to Blackburn (having led 1-0 after 2 minutes), Ipswich held on to sixth place as Derby self-destructed with a 3-0 loss at home to Reading and Wolves’ 4-2 win still left them four shy of Ipswich on goal difference. That sets up a monster playoff semi-final with their East Anglian rivals Norwich. It’s been a decade since Ipswich were this close to the Premier League, and although they’ll be outsiders for the two-legged clash – they lost both times they’ve played Norwich this season – this is a team that will back themselves. The pressure will be hard on the flourishing Canaries, which is exactly how Mick McCarthy and Ipswich will like it.
The Blackburn game is best not dwelled upon. At half time it was only a missed Darren Bent penalty for Derby that kept their heads above playoff water but as Derby fell to pieces, it no longer seemed to matter when Blackburn went up 3-1. Their fate would be determined elsewhere and that game, at least, went as hoped. Daryl Murphy scored both goals for Ipswich, one from the penalty spot, while Tommy Smith played a very decent 90 under the circumstances. His 17 clearances were a game-high.
Smithy also had some other big news this week, with the announcement of his Soccer School programme. Get in quick, kids.
Up Next: The first playoff leg is at home, 11.15pm Saturday night (NZT)
Marco Rojas – FC Thun (Swiss Super League)
Playing twice this week, Thun came away with a 0-0 at Grasshoppers and a crushing 4-0 win at home to FC Vaduz. Rojas was involved in both, starting the first and coming off the bench in the second game, with the four points enough to push their grip on third place to four points.
59 minutes in a controlled draw midweek, 25 against Vaduz. Rojas was the first sub off the bench, though the damage had already been done with all four goals coming in the first half.
Up Next: 11.45pm Sunday, Luzern vs Thun (NZT)
Bill Tuiloma – Olympique de Marseille (French Ligue 1)
Finally a win for Marseille after four losses in a row. They triumphed 2-0 at Metz, thanks to a double from André-Pierre Gignac. The problem is that their massive slump has probably cost them a spot in the Champions League next season - they’re five points behind Monaco with three games remaining and only holding off Saint Ettienne for the Europa League spot by goal difference.
Tuiloma hasn’t played for the first team since his two subs appearances in February, but he has been a regular fixture on the first team bench. He’s off contract at the end of this season, but rumour has it he’s just been offered his first full professional deal with the club, along with a couple of other promising youngsters. That’s great news for his chances at a club that are expected to do more selling than buying next transfer window. Tui’s also played 15 times for the reserves, most recently last Monday in a 2-0 win over Chambery. He has one reserve goal and three yellow cards this season.
Up Next: A crucial one at home to Monaco, 7am Monday
Jeremy Brockie – SuperSport United (South African Premier Soccer League)
Following an eleven day break, SuperSport played twice this week, Jeremy Brockie starting both games. Unfortunately an early lead away to the Orlando Pirates was washed away in a couple minutes right before half time, and they went on to fall 4-1, Brockie subbed off after 72 mins.
So that wasn’t great, but the next game was. 1-1 at AmaZulu with a dozen minutes to play, who should step up with a goal and an assist in the space of two minutes but that man Brocks.
Fine stuff. SuperSport are back up to seventh with two games left to play. It’ll all be over this time next week.
Up Next: Home to Mamelodi Sundowns FC on Thursday, away to Polokwane City on Monday (NZT)